Overview
- The RAC reported an average diesel price of 199.18p per litre on Monday, surpassing the previous peak of 199.09p from June 2022 and bringing the cost to fill a typical 55‑litre diesel car to almost £110.
- Prices vary sharply by location with some forecourts charging more than £2 per litre and government Fuel Finder data showing top advertised diesel prices up to 219.9p at certain motorway stations.
- Analysts and motoring groups point to the US–Iran war, renewed Russia–Ukraine disruptions and recent attacks on refining and export infrastructure as the main drivers pushing Brent crude above $100 and tightening diesel supply.
- Ministers including the Chancellor and Treasury officials have said the October 28 Budget will consider ‘levers’ such as further fuel duty or VAT changes as short‑term relief, though any change would need to be passed on by retailers to lower pump prices.
- The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says forecourts are being supplied normally and the National Emergency Plan for Fuel—covering priority fills, bulk distribution and purchase limits—remains a contingency that has not been activated.